Dental vouchers and glasses vouchers

The proposals are being approved today, in the republic's assembly, and provide for dental checks for all children from the age of two and vouchers for glasses for all children up to the age of 18, as long as they are prescribed by the attending doctor, within the SNS.

These are just some of the new measures that make up the program of the XXII Constitutional Government that you can readhere (PDF download)in full. The main goal is to reduce the costs that the Portuguese bear in the health sector.

The Order of Dentists (OMD) played a leading role in the decision on this measure and is now available to participate in an open discussion on the topic and new measures.

Find out more about OMD's activity in this project andread the Open Lettersent to the leaders of the political parties that ran for the Assembly of the Republic.

The objective of this action is “to extend the coverage of dental checks to all children between the ages of two and six, in order to allow for the observation and early detection of oral health problems”. Orlando Monteiro da Silva, president of ODM

Dentist checks today

Currently, dental checks are only granted to children who attend public schools and only after basic schooling, generally after the age of 7.

The government's plan also foresees the creation of a “payment voucher for glasses for all children and young people up to 18 years of age and people over 65 years of age who benefit from social insertion income”, as long as the prescription is made in consultation with the National Health Service (SNS). The fees also require review.

Follow updates on this and other news about the health sector in Portugal.